E3 2012: Wii U GamePad officially announced by Nintendo

Nintendo is first out of the blocks ahead of Sony and Microsoft by revealing the Wii U controller will be known as the Wii U GamePad and showing of some its features

Nintendo has confirmed that the Wii U controller shown off at E3 last year will be known as the Wii U GamePad after making the announcement at a streamed video conference ahead of its E3 keynote on Tuesday.

Firming up details of its capabilities and how it will play nice with your TV, the GamePad will also work as an e-Reader, support NFC from a button below the D-pad, feature motion and gyroscope

Nintendo Wii U

sensors and be available in black and white. Confirming recently leaked pictures of the Wii U GamePad, the thumbsliders have also been replaced by analogue sticks which unusually sit above the buttons in the wider more ergonomically designed GamePad.

Nintendo also took the opportunity to grab the headlines before Microsoft and Sony's E3 press conferences by announcing the Wii U Pro controller which looks inspired by Xbox 360 controller, works wirelessly and aims to offer a more traditional gaming experience. There was no confirmation of pricing or a release date of the secondary peripheral however.

Last up on the announcement front was the unveiling of the Wii U's online features, a mobile app and Mii Wara Wara feature. A pre-recorded video demonstrated how users would be able to access online communities to search for help if stuck at a certain point of a game. The Wii U will also be able to send online content from the Gamepad to a TV while Mii Wara Wara which expands on the Mii Plaza from the Wii, is an online universe where all Miis can gather. We expect details of these elements to be outlined further in Nintendo's press conference later this week.

You can check out the Nintendo Direct pre-E3 video below to see all the details about the Wii U GamePad.

Impressed by the look of the Wii U GamePad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.